DETROIT — A Michigan woman who allegedly crashed into a boat club hosting a child's birthday party, killing two children and injuring several other people, is now facing a lawsuit from the family of the victims.
Marshella Chidester, 66, has been charged with eight counts in connection to the crash.
The tavern that the woman was at before the crash has also been named in the lawsuit, which was announced Monday.
On Saturday, April 20, a birthday party for a 3-year-old was being held at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County when a car driven by Chidester crashed into the building.
The crash killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn Phillips, the sheriff's office said. Their mother and another sibling were among the injured.
Chidester has been jailed since the crash and the judge set her bond at the $1.5 million prosecutors requested after relatives of some of the victims asked him to set it at that level.
In arguing for the $1.5 million bond, prosecutor Jeff Yorkey told the court that Chidester has had substance abuse issues that were corroborated by her friends and family.
Defense attorney Bill Colovos asked the judge to set Chidester's bond at $100,000. He said she only had a glass of wine and a bowl of chili four hours before the crash, and that she has suffered since November with “epileptic-type seizures in her legs.”
Yorkey responded that there was no indication that Chidester suffered a seizure before the crash and that testing showed her blood alcohol level was “significantly over the legal limit.”
Raquel Smouthers told the court that she was at the party and witnessed the deaths of her nephew and niece.
“They were sitting at that table eating, and this woman crashed her car through this building destroying all of our lives," a nearly inconsolable Smouthers said. "Nobody should ever have to go to a birthday party thinking that they’re gonna die.”
The children's mother, Mariah Dodds, suffered six broken ribs, a collapsed lung, severe cuts and bruising and a tooth was knocked out. Her other child, J.P, broke both his legs and multiple ribs. His skull was also fractured in the crash.
"Hearts are broken. Two pieces of their heart are now gone and it is just really hard to process this kind of hurt,” attorney Michael Jones stated on behalf of the family. “They need time to heal and request privacy during this difficult time.”
“This is any parent’s worst nightmare. Entire lives were devastated and will suffer from this loss forever. We will make sure those responsible are held accountable for this senseless tragedy," said attorney Jon Marko.
A press conference to discuss the lawsuit is expected to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
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